January 9, 2025: Singapore has reclaimed its position as the world’s most powerful passport, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025. The passport now offers visa-free access to 195 of the 227 global destinations, ahead of Japan, which holds the second position with 193 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of countries and territories their holders can visit without requiring a visa. Singapore's passport, which offers visa-free entry to a wide range of destinations, solidifies its top spot, pushing Japan into second place despite the latter's regained access to China for the first time since the pandemic.
In the third position, several EU nations—including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—share the title, alongside Finland and South Korea. These countries offer visa-free access to 192 destinations, down from the previous year’s rank of 194. The fall in rankings of these countries reflects the global reshuffling in visa policies.
Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden are in fourth place, with 191 visa-free destinations. Meanwhile, Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK round out the top five, with access to 190 destinations without a visa.
India has slipped five places in the 2025 rankings, falling from 80th position in 2024 to 85th place this year. The Indian passport now offers visa-free access to 57 destinations, down from 62 in 2024. India now shares its ranking with Equatorial Guinea and Niger.
The Henley Passport Index is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks 199 passports worldwide. The rankings offer insight into the mobility of passport holders and their ability to travel freely across the globe.
For countries like Singapore and Japan, which continue to hold the top spots, the power of a passport is a crucial symbol of global connectivity, while countries like India experience a decline due to various factors affecting their international relations and travel agreements.